GPS World

Author: GPS World Staff

  • Trimble Introduces R10 GNSS Surveying Solution

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

     

    Trimble introduced today its next-generation GNSS surveying solution — the Trimble R10 — at the INTERGEO 2012 conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.

    As the smallest and lightest receiver in its class, the Trimble R10 combines powerful features and groundbreaking technologies including Trimble HD-GNSS, Trimble SurePoint, Trimble 360, and Trimble xFill to provide surveyors increased productivity, the company said. User-friendly features such as a quick-release adaptor and the ability to configure the receiver from a smartphone make it easy to deploy and use as a base station or rover, Trimble said.

    Trimble also released new versions of its field and office software — Trimble Access 2012.20 and Trimble Business Center 2.80 — to extend Trimble’s Connected Site survey solution, which enables surveyors to collect and process reliable data more efficiently.

    “Faster results, better reliability and improved overall performance are what our customers have come to expect,” said Anders Rhodin, general manager of Trimble’s Survey Division. “With the introduction of the Trimble R10, Trimble is delivering next-generation capabilities in a smaller, lighter and feature-packed system that is unmatched in the industry today.”

    The Trimble HD-GNSS processing engine integrated in the Trimble R10 is a new generation of core positioning technology, Trimble said. Trimble HD-GNSS surpasses traditional fixed/float techniques to provide a more accurate assessment of error estimates than traditional GNSS processing engines. Measurements collected with Trimble HD-GNSS are precision-based so surveyors can confidently collect data in challenging environments where they may have been unable to collect data before. Reduced convergence times and instantaneous point measurements allow surveyors to start measuring sooner and up to 60 percent faster.

    Supporting 440 channels with two built-in Trimble Maxwell 6 chips, the Trimble R10’s integrated Trimble 360 technology allows consistent and reliable tracking of available GNSS satellite signals for existing and currently planned GNSS constellations and augmentations.

    Trimble has extended its Trimble SurePoint technology, a cornerstone of the S-Series total stations, to the new GNSS surveying system. The incorporation of this technology simplifies the survey data collection workflow by providing faster measurements, increased accuracy and greater quality control. The Trimble R10 includes an electronic bubble that appears on the controller display so that all measurement information is displayed in one place. Trimble SurePoint constantly monitors the pole tilt and protects surveyors from collecting erroneous data by only allowing data to be stored when the survey pole is plumb. Simultaneously, pole tilt angle values are stored for every point collected to ensure data traceability.

    Powered by Trimble RTX technology, new Trimble xFill leverages a worldwide network of Trimble GNSS reference stations to deliver position information via geostationary satellites. xFill seamlessly “fills in” for RTK or VRS corrections in the event of a temporary connection outage such as a radio black spot so users experience less downtime in the field.

    Designed for ease of use and durability, the Trimble R10 offers the ruggedness and reliability. Additional features include multiple connectivity capabilities such as Wi-Fi and 3G cellular connectivity, a lithium-ion battery, an integrated GNSS antenna, 4 GB internal memory, and an internal 2 Watt radio.

    Trimble Access is a field solution that enables wireless connectivity between the project team members to expedite data collection, processing, analysis, and project information delivery through improved workflows, collaboration and control. The complete solution speeds both typical and specialized surveying tasks, and enables easy and fast two-way information sharing between the field survey crew and the office. Surveys can be completed faster with less time spent traveling back and forth to the office. Management and field crews can closely collaborate by viewing the same information in near real-time.

    Trimble Access version 2012.20 offers new functionality compatible with the Trimble R10, including:

    • Tilt auto-measure: Topo point or Rapid point measurements can now be automatically started when the pole is plumbed to within a predefined tilt tolerance. Coupled with auto store, hundreds of points can be measured with only one tap on Measure.
    • Tilt warnings: Users are now notified if the pole moves outside a predefined tilt tolerance during point measurement.
    • Tilt distances: Measurements collected with the Trimble R10 can now have an associated tilt distance providing additional quality control information. Use the QC Graph for a quick visual check to see the range of tilt distance errors for any particular job.
    • eBubble display: An electronic bubble can be used instead of a traditional pole bubble. The eBubble enables a clearer, easier and more accessible display of the bubble providing the surveyor just one place to focus when leveling and measuring.
    • In the Office – Trimble Business Center 2.80

    Trimble Business Center office software is a complete surveying office suite designed to manage, analyze and process all field survey data, including data from optical instruments (total stations and levels), GPS/GNSS and spatial stations (imaging and 3D scanning data).

    Version 2.80 advances the capabilities of surveying offices with key new functionality, including:

    • Trimble R10 support: Users can import RTK and PPK tilt magnitude and quality data from a Trimble Access Job or JobXML file and also export this data using the Custom Exporter. The new version also has the capability to Import Trimble Access Job or Job XML files containing xFill observations.
    • Ribbon menu layout: A new ribbon menu layout and quick access toolbar help users quickly locate commands required to complete a task for an improved user experience.
    • Microsoft Windows 8 support: Version 2.80 is compatible with the Microsoft Windows 8 Operating System.
    • Station View field-of-vision indicator: Users can view which Station Views are open and in which direction they are facing. The indicators improve workflows for measuring points photogrammetrically with images from Trimble VISION instruments.

    The Trimble R10 GNSS System can be ordered beginning mid October 2012. Shipping is expected to begin during the latter part of the fourth quarter in 2012. Trimble Access software version 2012.20 and Trimble Business Center Software version 2.80 are available now through Trimble’s Survey Distribution Channel.

    Trimble’s Connected Site solutions for surveyors create seamless working relationships among Trimble products, technologies and services. Through the Connected Site, Trimble is focused on providing solutions that address the customers’ full work processes. By carefully combining technology innovation with a deep understanding of the users’ workflows, data integration and maintenance across the lifecycle of projects, Trimble helps surveyors reach new levels of productivity for their businesses.

  • InterGeo Starts Today

    The enormous importance of geoinformation for the energy revolution, cloud computing, open data and enterprise applications based on Microsoft Bing Maps — these are just some of the many fascinating issues that will take center stage at INTERGEO in Hanover, Germany, October 9-11. Host DVW e.V. — the German Society for Geodesy, Geoinformation and Land Management — is pooling issues relevant to its specialist areas at the trade fair and conference and is set to welcome some 16,000 visitors, including 1,200 conference delegates. The international meeting takes place in a different German city each year, with about 520 international companies,  40 percent of which are based outside Germany.

    GPS World’s Editor-in-Chief Alan Cameron, International Account Executive Chris Litton, and Contributing Editor for Survey/GIS Eric Gakstatter are in attendance.

    On the first day of the fair, Cornelia Rogall-Grothe, state secretary at the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, is launching the first national INSPIRE Conference with a speech on “INSPIRE: the driving force behind the national geodata infrastructure.”

    This year, for the first time, INTERGEO will incorporate the conference of the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE), which will take place Thursday. The third conference of its type brings together surveyors from 36 member countries in Hanover.

    The Navigation Conference is also being held as part of INTERGEO for the second time. Once again, the event will seek to utilize synergies between navigation, IT and geoinformation.

    The conference is focusing on the latest topics and many technical solutions for capturing up-to-date geoinformation. Cutting-edge sensor technology will be presented along with the latest systems solutions.

  • Rand McNally Device Turns GPS Devices into Compliant EOBR Systems

    Rand McNally unveiled its HD 100 device — which provides electronic Hours of Service (HOS) recording, text- and dispatch-integrated messaging plus driver performance monitoring capabilities — at the American Trucking Association Management Conference and Exhibition.

    The HD 100 will be commercially available in April 2013 for use with Android tablets and the Rand McNally IntelliRoute TND 720 truck GPS device. Later in the year, the HD 100 will integrate with other platforms including Android smart phones and iOS tablets and smart phones.

    Designed to work seamlessly with a variety of mobile devices, the HD 100’s Hours of Service recorder qualifies as a compliant electronic driver log. The HD 100 plugs into a truck’s on-board diagnostics port and records the truck’s GPS position along with critical vehicle-specific information such as engine diagnostics and driving behavior. The device — 3 ½ inches by 5 inches — can be installed in less than 10 minutes.

    Drivers interact with the HD 100’s HOS and messaging functions through an application that they download and run on their mobile device or Rand McNally’s IntelliRoute TND 720.

    “With the HD 100, Rand McNally now provides a wide range of options for compliance, communication, and electronic Hours of Service. Our product line offers large fleets and smaller operators unparalleled flexibility with features and pricing options,” said Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally. “Our goal is to be hardware agnostic in order to provide a cost-effective EOBR (electronic on-board recording) solution for owner operators who already own a smart phone, tablet, or one of our GPS devices and the HD 100 accomplishes this objective. The HD 100 will help fleets and drivers alike with meeting the upcoming EOBR implementation mandated by MAP 21.”

    Just as with the company’s premier enterprise solution, TPC 7600, and the robust cost-effective single-box device, the TND 760, the HD 100 allows data integration with more than 20 third-party dispatch and fuel tax applications via Rand McNally Connect software.

  • u-blox Launches u-blox 7 GPS, GLONASS and QZSS Modules

    u-blox, the Swiss positioning and wireless module and chip company, has announced its latest multi-GNSS receiver modules MAX-7, NEO-7 and LEA-7 in u-blox’s form factors. They support all satellite positioning systems in operation today: GPS, GLONASS, QZSS and SBAS. The modules target telematics applications such as asset and fleet management as well as portable tracking devices.

    “Each MAX-7, NEO-7 and LEA-7 variant delivers fast, accurate and reliable GLONASS and GPS positioning with the industry’s lowest power consumption.” said Daniel Ammann, executive VP of positioning product development at u-blox. “Both GPS AND GLONASS modes perform even better than combined GPS/GLONASS solutions available on the market today.”

    All u-blox 7 generation modules are pin-to-pin compatible with previous u-blox 6 and u-blox 5 families allowing easy upgrade from existing designs. Each module is available in cost-effective variants (such as MAX-7C; NEO-7M) as well as performance optimized variants (MAX-7Q, MAX-7W, NEO-7N, LEA-7N).

    u-blox 7 modules use GPS/GNSS chips qualified according to AEC-Q100 and are manufactured at ISO/TS 16949 certified sites. Each module is intensively inspected and tested during production. The modules are fully qualified according to ISO 16750 – “Environmental conditions and electrical testing for electrical and electronic equipment for road vehicles” to provide high durability and reliability.

    All modules comply with green/halogen free standards.

    First variants available will be NEO-7N (November 2012) and MAX-7C (December 2012).

  • Symmetricom Launches RoHS Compliant GPS Time Servers

    Symmetricom, Inc., has introduced new RoHS compliant versions of its existing SyncServer S200 and SyncServer S250 GPS Network Time Servers. Designed for large or expanding IT enterprises, the cost-effective SyncServer S200 and S250 with optional rubidium-based atomic clocks will reliably continue operational service for extended periods when primary time sources are impaired.

    Accurate network time-keeping is essential for modern data networks to support a number of key functions — including precision time stamping, scheduled data backups, network management and security. These functions all rely on networked clocks to stay synchronized with each other. By using enterprise owned servers, companies are better poised to ensure accurate, reliable and more simplified network timing and synchronization, Symmetricom said.

    The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (or RoHS) assures environmental responsibility for the materials used in electrical and electronic equipment. The SyncServer S200 and S250 now offer network managers and engineers RoHS certified, entry-level time servers that still allow them to take advantage of rubidium-based clock technology. Unlike the more commonly deployed time servers that leverage temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) technologies, the rubidium-based SyncServers provide superior holdover — technology that allows the network to continue to operate with accurate timing when the primary reference (usually GPS) is temporarily impaired due to events such as GPS jamming, antenna breakage, or solar interferences.

    Communications and information technology managers can now take control of their network timing and synchronization and be assured of very accurate timing in their network that will not degrade or disrupt services during long periods where holdover is necessary, Symmetricom said.

  • LiveViewGPS Vehicle Tracker Supports Verizon CDMA Network

    LiveViewGPS, a GPS tracking company for business, government and individuals, is now shipping its VLS 300VZ GPS vehicle tracker that operates exclusively on Verizon’s CDMA wireless system. The hard-wired unit features a three-wire hookup and can be configured to update vehicle locations at 1-, 2- and 5-minute intervals.

    The VLS 300VZ GPS vehicle tracker is based on LiveViewGPS’ VLS platform, an Internet-based GPS tracking system for small businesses that need powerful monitoring at a lower price, the company said. It includes a fully-featured, real-time, on-demand GPS tracking system with no software and no contracts required.

    Users log on via their web browser or web-enabled mobile device. Once connected, the intuitive, user-friendly interface lets them locate multiple vehicles via a high-resolution satellite map. Users have the option of calling a special phone number instead of using a mobile device. The system automatically texts or emails alerts whenever it detects a vehicle speeding, entering restricted zones, deviating from routes and more. Automated detailed reports include starts/stops, excessive idling, mileage and speeding. State-to-state mileage reporting is also available.

    “The VLS 300VZ GPS vehicle tracker is a low-cost entry device for small fleets, company vehicles and personal vehicles in areas with poor GSM coverage,” said George Karonis, LiveViewGPS CEO, “and it’s even programmed to store and forward information whenever a vehicle loses CDMA coverage, so users never have to worry about data loss.”

  • Hemisphere GPS Offers Vector Compass Products for Marine Applications

    Photo: Hemisphere
    Photo: Hemisphere

    Today, Hemisphere GPS introduces the Vector VS330 and Vector VS131 GPS compass products that provide high performance heading, position, heave, and attitude data. The new Vector products are designed for professional marine applications such as hydrographic and bathymetric surveys, dredging, oil platform positioning, and buoys that demand a high level of 3D positioning accuracies.

    Based on Hemisphere GPS’ Eclipse GNSS technology, Vector VS330 uses the most accurate differential corrections including RTK, L-band, SBAS, and beacon. The smart intelligence from our MFA firmware  provides differential solutions by automatically switching to the next best differential source if the original source is no longer available, Hemisphere GPS said.

    Vector VS330 is Hemisphere GPS’ flagship receiver and computes heading information with better than 0.01 degrees accuracy when using a 10-meter antenna separation. Positioning accuracy is better than one centimeter in RTK mode or four centimeters when using OmniSTAR HP corrections. Vector VS330 also provides five-centimeter RTK heave and 0.01 degree pitch and roll accuracies.

    Combining Hemisphere GPS’ Crescent Vector and LX-2 receivers with two separate antennas, the Vector VS131 computes heading information with better than 0.03 degrees accuracy when using a five-meter antenna separation and better than 50 centimeter position accuracy when using L-band, SBAS, or beacon corrections. Vector VS131 accepts most differential correction signals for unparalleled flexibility to obtain sub-meter positioning in all regions.

    The ruggedness of the new Vector enclosure also makes it suitable for more harsh environment installations like machine-control applications, including agriculture, heavy construction equipment, mining equipment, unmanned vehicles, cranes, and other machinery or industries that require very accurate heading and positioning solutions. The Vector’s versatility for providing heading, position, heave, and motion makes it directly compatible with the most popular hydrographic and side scan survey packages. Vector VS330 and VS131 include an intuitive and easy-to-follow user interface to facilitate fast installations.

    “Vector VS330 and Vector VS131 are premium additions to Hemisphere GPS’ Vector series product line,” said Phil Gabriel, vice president and general manager, Precision Products, for Hemisphere GPS. “As the demand for more rugged and precise GPS equipment increases, we are meeting this demand by exceeding the accuracy of competitors’ products while being significantly more affordable.”

    Vector VS330 and Vector VS131 will be featured by Hemisphere GPS in hall 9, stand B.62 at the INTERGEO Conference and Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany, from October 9-11. Both products will be available for shipping in November through the Hemisphere GPS Precision Products global dealer network.

  • ITT Exelis Completes Milestone for GPS III Constellation

     ITT Exelis has passed a major milestone for the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System III (GPS III) program. The company has successfully completed acceptance testing of the navigation payload element for the GPS III Non-Flight Satellite Testbed (GNST), and shipped the pathfinder unit to prime contractor Lockheed Martin’s facility near Denver, Colo., for thermal vacuum testing and space vehicle integration.

    In March 2012, Exelis announced that it had been awarded a $32 million contract by Lockheed Martin to build the navigation payloads for GPS III space vehicles three and four.

    “The completion of this program milestone is testimony to the fact that we are focused on delivering GPS III capabilities to meet the needs of more than 1 billion users worldwide,” said Mark Pisani, vice president and general manager, Precision Instruments and Positioning, Navigation and Timing Systems, ITT Exelis Geospatial Systems. “We are excited for the next step in this program—delivering the Exelis navigation panel to Lockheed Martin for integration into the space vehicle.”

    Affordably replacing and improving the current GPS satellites, GPS III will deliver better accuracy and improved anti-jamming power while enhancing the spacecraft’s design life and adding a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems.

    “Completion of the GNST Navigation Panel Element is a very important milestone for this program,” said Keoki Jackson, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Navigation Systems mission area. “This accomplishment was made possible by the tremendous teamwork between ITT Exelis, Lockheed Martin, the Aerospace Corporation and the U.S. Air Force. We look forward to integrating the panel onto our pathfinder vehicle and continuing to reduce risk early in the program, paving the way for very efficient and affordable satellite production.”

    For nearly 40 years, Exelis payloads and payload components have been on board every GPS satellite and have accumulated more than 500 years of on-orbit life without a single mission-related failure due to Exelis equipment.

    The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the GPS III prime contractor with teammates ITT Exelis, General Dynamics, Infinity Systems Engineering, Honeywell, ATK and other subcontractors. Air Force
    Space Command’s 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

  • Trimble Adds Two Handhelds to GIS Data Collection Portfolio

    Trimble introduced today the Trimble Geo 5 and Juno 5 handheld GNSS devices, further extending Trimble’s portfolio for data collection, maintenance and inspection applications. The Geo 5 and Juno 5 series are both optimized for GIS field workflows, including Trimble’s TerraSync field software available on all Trimble GIS platforms.

    Since 1994, the Trimble GeoExplorer line of GNSS handhelds has been used for professional GIS data-collection applications. While the GeoExplorer 6000 series is the most capable Trimble handheld for GIS data collection, not all customers require the larger screen and innovative Floodlight technology of the 6000 series. The Geo 5 provides the essential functions for all day, submeter productivity in a smaller package, Trimble said.

    The Trimble Juno product line is used worldwide for maintenance, inspections and asset management applications. With the addition of the Juno 5 series, Trimble is providing a rugged handheld that delivers the capabilities and convenience of a smartphone, Trimble said. The Juno 5’s slim, ergonomic design is thinner and lighter than other rugged computing products in its class today and provides a more advanced feature set than the Juno 3 series.

    “Whether users are engaged in initial data-collection tasks or inspection of assets, it is critical they have a complete solution they trust,” said Daniel Wallace, general manager of Trimble’s GIS Data Collection Division. “Now with two platforms in both the Geo and Juno families, customers can confidently choose a handheld that best fits their needs. Trimble TerraSync software is the unifying workflow that brings these choices together, so customers can always trust the quality of their data throughout the complete lifecycle of a field management project.”

    Complete with wireless communications options, integrated cameras and bright, sunlight-readable screens, both devices are built for work in the field and rugged enough to withstand shock, vibration, water and dust.

  • JAVAD Tracks L5 Signals from Indian GAGAN Satellite

    JAVAD GNSS has commented on some news that its receivers can track a new L5 signal from the Indian SBAS satellite, GSAT-8, launched on May 20.  In a further explanation to GPS World, CEO Javad Ashjaee explained, “All owners of our products can track it. The only thing is that if customers have not updated their firmware for a long time, they should update to recent firmwares released earlier. They need to update their firmware, which is free of charge and is posted on our website. All of our customers with recent firmware versions can track the GAGAN L5 signal.”

    An earlier report from CANSPACE that appeared on the GPS World website said, in part, “Although GSAT-8 reportedly carries a dual-frequency transponder, no L5 signals from this satellite have yet been detected by International GNSS Service tracking stations.”

    The JAVAD GNSS statement on September 30 said “Report of GPS World that GAGAN PRN127 does not transmit L5 signal is not correct. Our receivers track it.
 This graph shows code-phase measurements for this signal.” The web page displays this figure:

     

     

    A check with a University of Bern, Switzerland, report of stations participating in the IGS M-GEX campaign on October 2 found that a number of stations are tracking the L1 signal from GSAT-8 but none are tracking the L5 signal yet due to issues with receiver firmware. However, various stations in the Cooperative Network for GNSS Observation (formerly the Cooperative Network for GIOVE Observation, still abbreviated CONGO), using Javad Triumph receivers, have tracked GAGAN L1 and L5 signals for more than half a year. No detailed analysis of these measurements has been performed so far.

  • GPS IIF-3 Satellite Now Transmitting L1, L2 Signals

    Credit: ULA/Atkeison
    A Delta IV rocket lifts-off into the blue skies over Cape Canaveral on Thursday with an advanced GPS satellite. (Credit: ULA/Atkeison).

    Video of launch.

    UPDATE: The SVN65/PRN24 L5 transmitter has now been switched on. L5 is the civilian safety-of-life GPS signal, designed to meet demanding requirements for safety-of-life transportation and other high-performance applications.

    UPDATE: The GPS Block IIF-3 satellite, SVN65, began transmitting L1 and L2 signals as PRN24 on October 8. A number of stations of the International GNSS Service are now tracking the satellite. The satellite is included in broadcast almanacs although it is set unhealthy and will continue to be so until satellite commissioning is completed. The satellite is still drifting towards its designated orbital position of Slot 1 in Plane A.

    Meanwhile, SVN27/PRN27 was decommissioned from active service on October 6 and removed from the broadcast almanacs. However, the L-band
    transmitters of SVN27 remain active, presumably for end-of-life testing.

    UPDATE: According to Boeing, the satellite manufacturer, SVN65 is on orbit and performing as expected. A Boeing press release stated that “Controllers confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft at 11:43 a.m. Eastern time. The satellite’s GPS signals will be turned on and tested within a few days.”

    Incidentally, the launch occurred exactly 55 years to the day after the launch of the world’s first satellite, Sputnik I, on October 4, 1957. It was Doppler tracking of that satellite that gave rise to the Transit navigation system and subsequently, its successor, GPS.

    The launch of the GPS Block IIF-3 satellite took place as scheduled October 4 at 12:10 UTC (8:10 a.m. EDT), aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Spacecraft separation was reported at 16:27 UTC.

    The Boeing-built spacecraft is designed to improve network coverage for both civilian and military networks, including a new L5 signal for improved commercial and civil aviation users.

    The satellite, also known as SVN65, will be positioned in orbital slot 1, which is in plane A and will use the PRN24 ranging codes. Slot 1 was recently occupied by a Block IIA satellite, SVN39, operating as PRN09. SVN39 is one of the oldest operating satellites in the GPS fleet, having been launched on 26 June 1993. SVN39 underwent an initital Delta-V on September 27 to move it close to SVN38/PRN08 in slot 3 in plane A, making room for the new Block IIF satellite.

    “Congratulations to the entire team on today’s successful launch of the GPS 2F-3 satellite,” Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations, said in a post-launch press release.

    “ULA and our mission partners have a rich heritage with the GPS program and we are proud to have served alongside the government and contractor teams over the last two decades to provide important Global Positioning System capabilities for our national defense and for millions of civilian and commercial users around the world.”

    Credit: ULA/Atkeison
    A Delta IV rocket lifts-off with an advanced GPS satellite from Cape Canaveral on Thursday. (Credit: ULA/Atkeison).

     

    An NANU announcing the launch has been issued:

    NOTICE ADVISORY TO NAVSTAR USERS (NANU) 2012062
    SUBJ: SVN65 (PRN24) LAUNCH JDAY 278
    1.     NANU TYPE: LAUNCH
    NANU NUMBER: 2012062
    NANU DTG: 041222Z OCT 2012
    SVN: 65
    PRN: 24
    LAUNCH JDAY: 278
    LAUNCH TIME ZULU: 1210

    2. GPS SATELLITE SVN65 (PRN24) WAS LAUNCHED ON JDAY 278.
    A USABINIT NANU WILL BE SENT WHEN THE SATELLITE IS SET ACTIVE TO
    SERVICE.

    3. POC: CIVILIAN – NAVCEN AT 703-313-5900, HTTP://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV
    MILITARY – GPS OPERATIONS CENTER AT HTTPS://gps.afspc.af.mil/
    GPSOC , DSN 560-2541,
    COMM 719-567-2541, [email protected] , HTTP://gps.afspc.af.mil/GPSOC/GPS
    MILITARY ALTERNATE – JOINT SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER, DSN 276-3514.
    COMM 805-606-3514.
    [email protected]

  • Rand McNally GPS for RVers Includes Weather, Rear-View Camera Capability

    Photo: Randy McNally GPS
    Photo: Randy McNally GPS

    Rand McNally today introduced the RVND 7720, a 7-inch RV GPS device with Wi-Fi connectivity allowing for real-time weather information and display, and new hardware with rugged casing, video input, and brighter screen.

    The new device — shipping now to stores, online retailers, and RV dealers and distributors — joins Rand McNally’s line of RVND GPS devices for RVers. Rand McNally pioneered RV-specific navigation by launching the first GPS device designed specifically for RVers and campers, the company said.

    RV-specific navigation is necessary to route large vehicles and towables around road restrictions, low bridges and other physical hazards. However, like all Rand McNally RV GPS devices, the RVND 7720 can be used as a car GPS by changing a simple setting.

    One of the key new features of the RVND 7720 is Wi-Fi connectivity, which enables the transmission and display of weather as well as other real-time information. With updated weather information, RVers will be able to anticipate delays and make plans by viewing current and predicted conditions displayed on the map and along the route, the company said. Besides weather, other RV-specific connected services will be coming soon for this device.

    The RVND 7720 has a new hardware platform as well, with a rugged design with ridged casing for added protection, a brighter screen that adjusts for low and strong light, and video input compatible with a range of back-up and rear-view cameras, Rand McNally said.

    The base maps and overlaying content, such as campgrounds, parks, RV service and other RV points of interest, also have been updated for the RVND 7720.

    The new device ships with Lifetime Maps, so owners will be able to update their devices at no additional cost.

    The RVND 7720 GPS includes the following additional new features:

    • Fully updated road data, including RV-specific information such as speed limits, legal and physical restrictions, and all Rand McNally proprietary RV data
    • Fully updated points of interest necessary for safe and convenient routing, including travel centers and RV parking information at rest stops, exits, and other locations
    • Fuel logs, which are accessible from the Virtual Dashboard or via RV Tools; the feature enables drivers to record fuel purchases for a trip
    • Additional routing options such as “Avoid State or Province” and “Avoid Smaller Roads”
    • Address book icon enhancement, which enables unique icons to be created by group and shown on the map for imported locations; address book items can be sorted by name, distance from current location or date added
    • Text-to-speech alert details for user-imported custom points of interest, such as red light cameras, to reduce driver distraction

    The RVND 7720 also has these features: Virtual Dashboard; junction view with lane assist; free downloads of Rand McNally’s proprietary construction information and software updates; Exits Quick View, which shows RV parking and amenities at exits; RV Tools, RV amenities and locations such as campgrounds, RV services, and dumps; Woodall’s Campground information with searchable amenities; Rand McNally exclusive pre-planned trips with photos and video; and routing for 11 types of RVs as well as for cars.